Qatar Airways Expands Services to UAE

Additional Routes to Sharjah and Dubai World Central

27 Oct 2013

DOHA, Qatar – Qatar Airways announced today the addition of Sharjah and Dubai World Central as its newest routes to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with 14 flights per week to each destination.

Beginning the 1st March 2014, the airline will operate twice daily to Sharjah International Airport (airport code: SHJ) and twice daily to Dubai World Central - Al Maktoum International Airport (airport code: DWC) from its hub in Doha.

“The ever increasing demand for flights to the UAE has provided the business case for expanding our services to Sharjah and Dubai World Central,” said Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker. “The location of both airports will offer travellers alternative options to reach their final destination when flying to Dubai.”

Operating Airbus A320s on both routes, customers from Europe, Africa and the America’s will have increased availability of flights to the UAE, while passengers from Australia, Asia and the Indian subcontinent will have convenient connection times when transiting via Doha.

The settlement of Sharjah dates back some 6,000 years when it is believed to have been called Sarcoa. The population was small and people relied on trade and sea faring in addition to, farming, hunting, fishing and pearling. Many of the early settlements were based around the ‘falaj’, a man made underground water course.

Today Sharjah is the third largest of the seven states which form the United Arab Emirates and offers an impressive array of over twenty museums, several art galleries and beautifully restored heritage areas in this bustling port city.

Dubai World Central (DWC), located in the Jebel Ali area of Dubai southwest of the city, is a strategic initiative of the Government of Dubai for the establishment of the world’s first aerotropolis. Leveraging the emirate's position as a leading global trade, business and aviation hub, the focus of DWC is on economic development for the region.

Qatar Airways has seen rapid growth in just 16 years of operations, currently flying a modern fleet of 129 aircraft to 132 key business and leisure destinations across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific and The Americas.

In addition to Dubai World Central and Sharjah, Qatar Airways' network will grow further over the next few months with Clark Manila International Airport, Philippines (October 27), Philadelphia, USA (April 2, 2014) and Miami, USA (10 June 2014).

Qatar Airways was presented with three honours at the annual Skytrax 2013 World Airline Awards held during the Paris Air Show at Le Bourget, France in June. The airline was awarded World’s Best Business Class, World’s Best Business Class Lounge and, for the second consecutive year, Best Airline Staff Service in the Middle East.

The airline has also been named Best Airline in the Middle East for the seventh year in a row, and its Premium Terminal at Doha International Airport named Best Premium Service Airport for the third consecutive year in 2013. Qatar Airways has also twice been the recipient of the prestigious Skytrax Airline of the Year Award in 2011 and 2012. Skytrax is the only global independent passenger survey monitoring airline standards and is considered the ultimate benchmark for excellence in the airline industry.

Qatar Airways currently has orders worth over US$50 billion for more than 250 aircraft, including Boeing 787s, 777s, Airbus A350s, A380s and A320 family of aircraft. On 30 October 2013, Qatar Airways will join the oneworld global alliance. For more information, visit www.qatarairways.com.